English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

Etymology — The Origins of English Words

Where do words come from? Trace the origin and history of any English word, from its Latin, Greek or Old English roots through to its modern meaning. Every etymology is sourced.

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From an Italian contraction of Erasmo, cognate with Erasmus. Also a German short form of Elmar. * By folk etymology seen as a short form of Elmer.

Borrowed from Japanese さだこ (Sadako).

From "rock" plus "fish," describing the fish's rocky habitat.

From Japanese teriyaki, combining teri ("shine, gloss" — from the glaze) and yaki ("to grill or broil").

A compound of drum and roll, describing the rolling sound made by rapid drumbeats.

Clipping of Alabama.

From end plus the agent suffix -er.

From Middle English sumner (“summoner”).

In most cases, the surname derives from the Middle English Wilkin, from Will, diminutive of William, + -kin (“small”). However, in the case of a formidable number of those that bear the surname 'Wilkins', the name derives from an earlier form Welsh Wilkyn, itself from Middle English Wylcolyna or Witcoline, from Latin Wintona, compare Winton.

A compound of shit and storm.

Formed from trend plus the -ing suffix.

From Latin Caspius, referring to the ancient Caspi people who lived along the sea's shores.

From the Revised Romanization of Korean 백제(百濟) (Baekje).

Borrowed from Spanish "pepita", meaning seed or pip.

From Crimean Tatar Yalta, from Byzantine Greek Γιαλίτα (Gialíta), a derivative of γιαλός (gialós, “beach, seashore”), from Ancient Greek αἰγιαλός (aigialós).

Formed from Mark plus the familiar "-y" ending used in nicknames, as in Johnny or Bobby.

From Spear + -s. Patronymic of Spear.

From Argentina plus the suffix -ean.

From Middle English holander, Hollander, from Holland plus -er.

By surface analysis, prosth- + -etic + -s.

Borrowed from Sanskrit लङ्का (laṅkā).

From Sanskrit "malati," a name for a jasmine flower.

Baby-talk shortening of "little", with the diminutive ending "-sy" tacked on for cuteness.

A pet-name form built with the affectionate suffix -ie.